'TUF: Brazil' winner Rony 'Jason' rattled by lack of mask at UFC 147

After winning “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” and picking up his first UFC win as part of a pay-per-view event in his home country, the Brazilian featherweight called it both the happiest and saddest day in his MMA career.

Why? He couldn’t wear his trademark Jason Voorhees mask to the octagon.

Bezerra (11-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) had worn the hockey mask, which was popularized by the “Friday the 13th” horror series, throughout his career. But at UFC 147, which took place at Estadio Jornalista Felipe Drumond in Belo Horizonte, he wasn’t permitted.

“Today was the happiest day of my life, but it was also the saddest,” he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “I’ve carried with me this Jason mask since my first fight. And for the first time, in my dream – which was to fight in the UFC – I wasn’t allowed to walk in with the mask.

“So I became a bit sad. I even lost some of the focus for my fight. But thanks to God, I had excellent cornermen: Patricio (Freire), Bruno Machado and Everaldo (Penco). They brought me to reality. Jason is not in the mask. He’s inside of me. So I apologize if my fight wasn’t pleasant. I promise that the next ones will be.”

It’s not exactly clear why Bezerra couldn’t wear the Jason mask, though officials also reportedly nixed Jason “Mayhem” Miller from wearing a gas mask to the cage during a recent event.

Regardless, perhaps the missing mask contributed to Bezerra’s lack of a killer instinct. While he won the fight via 29-28 scored across the board, UFC president Dana White was less than impressed with the performance. After the event, he told FUEL TV the “TUF: Brazil” fighters, who competed in the first international edition of the UFC’s long-running reality series, may have been more focused on their new rock-star status in Brazil than putting on good performances.

“I think these guys from ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil’ came out like killers in the fight to get into the house and then all season long,” he said. “But I think because [UFC 147] was such a big event – this place was crazy, it was rocking – they were signing autographs all day. I think they got a little caught up in the hype.”

Bezerra, though, is ready to get back to work. With six consecutive pro wins and an 8-1 mark since late 2009, he’s one of the more experienced “TUF” winners in recent seasons. So there’s no need to ease him into the world’s most competitive MMA organization.

“I’m available for the UFC,” he said. “I’ve never picked my fights, and I’m not going to start doing that now.”

Besides, he said his dream has been fulfilled. While his UFC debut may have left something to be desired, Bezerra, who was emotional and in tears during his walk to the UFC octagon, is exactly where he’s always wanted to be.

“Something I was always sure of in my mind is that I would fight in the UFC, even if I had to beat up Brazilians here one by one to have my opportunity,” he said. “God just does what he wants. ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ appeared, and it was in my weight class. The path was being placed for me. This was all being done by God.

“I think people often have dreams, but the trend is to try and then stop the progress. For those people who don’t have the guts to run after their dreams, I feel sorry for you. All I can do is pray for you because I dreamed and went out and made it happen.”

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